Overview

Executive Director of Resources & Governance (S151 Officer)

Salary: Up to £146,245

Basildon is emerging from a period of challenge with renewed ambition. With a healthy reserve position and a commitment to smarter spending, we’re ready to modernise how we manage our resources and governance.

As our Executive Director of Resources & Governance, you’ll be our statutory S151 Officer and lead a broad portfolio including finance, audit, procurement, legal, democratic services, and information governance. You’ll bring rigour, transparency, and strategic foresight to how we manage our £40m+ budget and support the council’s transformation.

We’re looking for a commercially minded, politically astute leader who can bring clarity to complexity, support cultural change, and ensure our governance is fit for the future. You’ll work closely with Members, the Chief Executive, and the wider leadership team to drive performance and accountability.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a financial and governance reset in a council that’s ready to do things differently. You’ll be joining at a moment of genuine change, with a new Chief Executive, a refreshed corporate plan, and a clear appetite for modernisation. The foundations are in place, but the systems, culture, and controls need to evolve. You’ll have the platform to shape how we manage money, risk, and decision-making — and the influence to embed a more transparent, accountable, and forward-looking organisation. This is your chance to lead from the centre, with the full backing to make a lasting impact.

To find out more click on the button below. For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact our executive search partners GatenbySanderson: Kembi Coakelin and Alex Hayes at basildon@gatenbysanderson.com, quoting the job reference GSe125183 or call 07586 715 843.

Closing Date: Sunday 28th September 2025

Responsibilities

• Lead the Resources & Governance portfolio as the statutory S151 Officer, overseeing finance, audit, procurement, legal, democratic services, and information governance.
• Provide rigour, transparency, and strategic foresight in managing the council’s £40m+ budget and supporting transformation initiatives.
• Drive governance improvements, clarity in decision-making, and cultural change to ensure governance is fit for the future.
• Collaborate with Members, the Chief Executive, and the wider leadership team to drive performance and accountability.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Commercially minded, politically astute leadership capable of simplifying complexity and delivering change in a local government setting.
• Experience in senior financial management, governance, and cross-functional leadership.
• Strong ability to influence, implement controls, and foster transparency and accountability.